Ebb & Flow
About the Artwork
Ebb & Flow is a sculptural installation that masterfully unites tradition and innovation and showcases the harmonious blend of Hong Kong and Japanese cultures. Crystal Liew and Takeshi Fujii, inspired by Hong Kong's bamboo scaffolding, reimagine this unique architectural design with a contemporary twist. Employing brass tubes to recreate the "bamboo pole" structure, they adorned it with 42 exquisitely engraved mamezara copper dishes, each symbolizing natural elements from both regions. This installation commemorates the 42 day exchange of exceptional craftsmanship.
Story of Traditional Crafts
| Craft in a Nutshell: Bamboo Scaffolding History in Hong Kong |
Scaffolding is commonly used to enable safe access to the repair and maintenance of buildings. The method of constructing scaffoldings, using only bamboo poles and expertly tied fasteners, is a unique trait of Hong Kong’s architectural practice. The rich history of bamboo scaffolding traces back to the 1950s and 1960s, during which it was a ubiquitous practice aligning with the flourishing economy and urban re-developments. Being abundant in nature, bamboo is a cost-effective solution for the rapidly increasing construction projects. Its natural qualities, such as durability and malleability, also position it as an ideal structure to access high-rise buildings.
As technology and safety regulations advanced in the 1980s, metal was proposed to replace bamboo scaffolding. Despite the age of industrialization and modernization in Hong Kong, bamboo scaffolding persisted because of its unbeatable qualities and remains a prevalent sight in contemporary Hong Kong. Not dissimilar to other crafts, the building of an intricate bamboo scaffolding is an expertise. It presents itself as an architectural structure that embodies both aesthetics and practicality.
Making Process
The bamboo scaffolding-inspired installation requires another layer of sophistication additional to the standard coppersmithing techniques illustrated above. They first cut the brass rods into smaller sections, hammered - ‘sunk’ - the ends of each section, reattached them with tin strips, then dyed the reconstructed rods to a lighter shade using a bespoke formula for coloring.
This transformed the brass tubes from mere supportive materials for the sculpture to an artistic element that resembles bamboo stems. Then, they hung small copper dishes called mamezara, engraved by hand with hammers and chisels, along the frame. Drawing inspiration from natural elements such as mountains, seas and flowers, these plates, each with distinctive features, engage in a playful interaction with light and embellish the installation.
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